Grilled Zucchini
- Difficulty: Easy
- Prep time: 20 min
- Cook time: 30 min
- Serving: 4
- Cost: Low
- Note plus marination time (30 min)
PRESENTATION
Fresh off the grill, grilled zucchini brings a nice pop of color and real veggie goodness to any summer dinner table. Families often gather for BBQs or simple weeknight meals...and a platter of grilled zucchini just fits right in—soft in the center with tempting char marks on the outside, these colorful slices offer a great contrast in texture that gets everyone interested in having a few extra vegetables. Smoky edges blend with a bright citrus note—yep, the classic lemon juice seasoning you'll find in so many easy zucchini recipes—making each bite extra tasty without feeling heavy or complicated. The way these spears look stacked up next to grilled chicken or tossed right into a fresh salad really goes over WELL with both kids and grown-ups. Since every piece soaks up that summer flavor, this simple summer side dish has become a favorite for family cookouts, potlucks, and fast dinners alike. Serving it warm, straight from the grill, puts you straight into the summer mindset...but honestly, it’s just as delicious cold or at room temp—which is great for busy schedules and quick lunches.
Busy families need a veggie recipe that isn’t fussy, and this one delivers on all counts—easy to serve, works with lots of main dishes, and lets home cooks mix up flavors with whatever fresh herbs are on hand. Customizing it is pretty simple...try a handful of chopped mint or basil, or even sprinkle cheese over the top for extra flavor. The versatility is AWESOME: pile it onto sandwiches, layer it in wraps, or chop and throw into pasta salads—each time it brings that same moist, summery taste that keeps people reaching for seconds. For anyone needing a reliable, family-friendly veggie, grilled zucchini slides right into rotation, checking all the boxes for weeknight meals, meal prep, and festive gatherings. Parents especially like how easy it is to make veggies a part of every dinner—nobody complains when this great summer side dish shows up on the table! Whether paired with other grilled favorites or served solo, these zucchini spears stay a crowd-pleaser, appealing to kids and adults with their healthy taste, simple appeal, and all those bold, summery flavors.
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INGREDIENTS
- for the zucchini with the dressing
- Zucchini 2.2 lbs (1 kg) - medium
- Fine salt to taste
- Garlic 1 clove
- Extra virgin olive oil 1 ½ tbsp (20 g)
- Lemon juice 2 tsp (10 g)
- Oregano to taste
- for the yogurt sauce
- Yogurt ½ cup (100 g)
- Lemon peel 1
- Chives to taste
- Lemon juice ½
- Black pepper to taste
How to prepare Grilled Zucchini
To prepare the grilled zucchini, first slice the zucchini to a thickness of about 1/4 inch with a mandolin, or with a knife 1. Put a pinch of salt at the bottom of a baking dish, place the zucchini slices on top 2, and lightly salt again 3. Cover and let marinate for about 30 minutes, so they lose their excess moisture.
Meanwhile, prepare the yogurt sauce. In a small bowl, pour the yogurt, chopped chives 4, lemon zest 5, and a sprinkle of pepper 6.
Add the lemon juice 7 and stir 8 9. Store in the refrigerator until use.
In the meantime, also prepare the vinaigrette. In a small bowl, pour the lemon juice 10, oil 11, chopped garlic clove, and a pinch of salt 12.
Add the oregano 13 and stir well to emulsify 14. Heat a grill pan, preferably cast iron, on the stove. Place the zucchini slices on top 15.
Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the typical grill marks form, then flip the zucchini 16 and grill the other side for 2-3 minutes 17. Place them on the serving plate, drizzle with the vinaigrette, and serve accompanied by the yogurt sauce 18.